Musc Ravageur is a nostalgic fragrance for me, as my father used to wear it. Recently, I bought this classic scent to enrich my collection, and it cost me a lot.
Well, this is definitely an alluring fragrance, but I still think it’s overpriced.
Hence, after immense trying and research, I sorted a bunch of similar fragrances that are affordable and still can be a good replacement for Musc Ravageur.
So, if you wanna know more about these worthy clones, stay till the end.
What Does Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur Smell Like?
Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle is a warm, musky fragrance that opens with a spicy blast of cinnamon and clove. When the spices start to fade, the fragrance reveals a warm, gourmand base filled with the smoky sensuality of musk, amber, and vanilla.
Maurice Roucel is the man behind this masterpiece. Musc Ravageur is one of those timeless perfumes that people love to wear even decades after its launch.
Now, let’s see which notes make Musc Ravageur such a memorable fragrance:
Top Notes: Lavender, Tangerine, and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Cinnamon and Cloves
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood, and Guaiac Wood
The beginning of Musc Ravageur is intriguingly spicy and bold, with a little bit of sweetness around the border. Lavender acts as a background actor, setting an airy tone behind the powerful cinnamon accord.
The middle smells warm, spicy, and sweet without being overwhelming.
Then, in the dry down, the smooth, animalic musk rounds everything out perfectly, along with the gourmand touch of vanilla and amber.
Musc Ravageur is very intense and lasts all day on the skin. So, always be careful with the spray.
Moreover, I think this is a fantastic and classy cold-weather fragrance.
What Fragrances Smell Similar To Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur?
Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur is a legendary fragrance that is well-known for its quality and unique spicy, musky combo. But such a luxury also demands a whopping price.
And finding substitutes would be the best thing to do if you have a limited budget.
So, to make your work easier, here are my top-picked substitutes for Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle:
1. Meharées L’Erbolario
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Orange, Bergamot, and Rose
Middle Notes: Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, Cedar, and Patchouli
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, and Musk
So, the first dupe that I tried is Meharées by L’Erbolario. This fragrance is insanely low-priced, yet it smells almost identical to Musc Ravageur aura.
When I first sniffed this cheapo, it felt similarly spicy and intriguing, with a noticeable cinnamon nuance. Instead of lavender, a rose here sets a powdery background behind the bright opening aroma.
The spiciness dims down very soon. And towards the middle, you’ll feel a warm, woody, creaminess of woodsy heart notes.
In the dry-down, the harsh edges of spices are beautifully rounded with a smooth, comforting, slightly gourmand hint of vanilla and musk.
I actually find this one more ambery and less musky than Musc Ravageur. Musk has a fuzzy and gentle appearance here, not too animalic or sharp.
Anyway, Meharées projects really well and lasts around 8 hours on my skin.
So, this would be my best recommendation to those who are looking for a cheap replica but don’t wanna compromise on quality.
When To Wear
The warm, gourmand tone of Meharées smells just fabulous on the colder days of winter or fall. You can make it your signature scent for night or evening time events.
Why Should You Buy
- Unique, musky, ambery blend.
- Gives off a high-end vibe.
- Inexpensive.
- Long-lasting.
- More gourmand.
- Perfect for date nights or clubbing.
- Suitable for both genders.
2. Obsession for Men Calvin Klein
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Lavender, Coriander, and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Myrhh, Nutmeg, Carnation, Brazilian Rosewood, and Sage
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli and Vetiver
Obsession for Men is a wonderful, classic composition by Calvin Klein. To be honest, this is another gorgeous scent from my husband’s collection that can easily replace Musc Ravageur.
The opening of this gem is spicy with cinnamon, but at the same time, smoother and more well-balanced with lavender and orange’s sweet airiness.
Moments ahead, it radiates a spicy, gourmand, and oriental vibe with lots of sensual woodsy notes.
During the dry-down, it simply becomes a cozy, amber-musky scent along with the rich sweetness of vanilla.
As I perceive it, Obsession is an all-time classic scent that fits perfectly into this modern era of fragrances. And I think this is one of the best smelling Calvin Klein cologne you can find now.
Also, its evoking aroma reaches every corner of the room. So, it will easily allow you to have a bold presence that lasts for the whole day.
When To Wear
Obsession for Men can be your perfect winter or autumn cologne that you can use on both formal and flirtatious occasions.
Why Should You Buy
- Affordable but smells expensive.
- Women love it.
- Over 12 hours of longevity.
- Classic masterpiece.
- Pleasant yet sensual, musky tone.
- Artfully crafted.
3. L de Lolita Lempicka
Top Notes: Bitter Orange and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Immortelle, and Musk
Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, and Sandalwood
Next on the list is L de Lolita Lempicka, another jewel by Maurice Roucel. In my opinion, this is more like a female counterpart of Musc Ravageur with a profound vanillic tone.
The opening is racy but also has a sweet, tangy tone that feels awfully pleasant. Then comes the creamy, sensual core with a nice blend of cinnamon and musk.
Finally, you’ll feel its cozy, smooth, gourmand nature when the perfume reaches the dry-down. Vanilla comes out powerfully and smells just mind-blowing with the smoky, woody undertone.
So, if you need a sweeter or gentler dupe of Musc Ravageur, L de Lolita Lempicka is the one for you.
Plus, it has an incredible lasting power and enchanting sillage.
When To Wear
L de Lolita Lempicka develops in an enigmatic way when it is cold outside. So, wear it before going out for parties, blind dates, or just for clubbing during the fall or winter.
Why Should You Buy
- Nice and magical composition.
- Charming, musky tone.
- Well-blended gourmand perfume.
- Grabs a lot of attention.
- Lasts over 12 hours.
- Enormous projection.
- Inexpensive.
4. Shalimar Eau de Parfum Guerlain
Top Notes: Citruses, Bergamot, Lemon, Cedar, and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Iris, Patchouli, Vetiver, Jasmine and Rose
Base Notes: Vanilla, Incense, Leather, Opoponax, Civet, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, and Musk
It may sound unlikely, but Musc Ravageur actually smells pretty close to another timeless blend, Shalimar EDP. So, if you need something similarly celebrated yet more female-leaning, this would be the fragrance for you.
I personally think Shalimar opens up more brightly with a juicy, citrusy blast. It also has a strong, spicy, cinnamon nature, even though the note doesn’t say any cinnamon is present.
A powdery, sweet, floral aroma pokes through after a while, and this airy, aromatic feel stays up until the dominating vanilla base appears.
Finally, the perfume presents a smooth, creamy, slightly spicy aura with an irresistible smoky muskiness underneath.
Plus, you’ll feel this undeniable charm of Shalimar EDP for a good 12 hours. So, I suggest you give it a try if you still haven’t.
Moreover, if you’re already a fan of this Jacques Guerlain creation, I think you should try out perfumes from other houses that are similar to Shalimar.
When To Wear
This luxurious fragrance is ideal for special or romantic events when the weather is cold and gloomy.
Why Should You Buy
- Sophisticated composition.
- Well-blended vanilla and musk.
- Less ambery.
- Intoxicating.
- Gives off an imperial gourmand vibe.
5. Après l’Amour Thomas Kosmala
Top Notes: Lemon Zest and Bitter Orange Blossom
Middle Note: Aromatic Spices
Base Notes: Musk, Amber, and Woody Notes
My next alternative is Après l’Amour, an underrated gem created by Thomas Kosmal.
It surely resembles the hyped musky aura of Musc Ravageur. However, I prefer this version more due to the heavenly polarizing aroma it offers.
In the opening, Après l’Amour unfolds a gripping zest of lemon and orange blossom.
As it develops, the edgy spices come out. I mostly pick the sweet, spicy cinnamon in the heart that smells heavenly with a woody undertone.
The actual magic happens when you get to feel the amber-woody dry down. Here, a heavy dose of musk fused with warm amber will make you fall for it.
Overall, this is a luxurious, warm, powdery, musky scent for subtle fragrance lovers. Both my husband and I adore this fragrance. It is gorgeous, affordable, and lasts for like eternity.
When To Wear
Après l’Amour is such a fragrance that you can wear it anywhere without worrying about the weather or the occasional setting.
Why Should You Buy
- Trendy, unisex composition.
- Smells better than Musc Ravageur.
- Beast-mode projection.
- Lasts over 15 hours.
- Gets tons of compliments.
- Amazingly versatile.
- Elegant, sexy, yet non-offensive.
- Less expensive.
6. Ambar Del Sur Carner Barcelona
Top Note: Bergamot
Middle Notes: Amber, Australian Sandalwood, Indonesian Patchouli Leaf, and Water Jasmine
Base Notes: Myrrh, Madagascar Vanilla, Spanish Labdanum, and Tonka Bean
Ambar Del Sur by Carner Barcelona is my recommendation for all the amber lovers out there. This Musc Ravageur dupe smells very close yet has a lot of unique qualities.
You’ll feel amber’s warm, balsamic hint from the first spray, which is actually the star here. The opening aroma also has a faint bergamot smell behind the dry amber.
Soon, its warm, woody nature unveils in the core with a nice blend of amber with patchouli and sandalwood.
The dry-down of this fragrance nurtures the cozy, musky character of myrrh and vanilla. It smells totally elegant, with a smoky smell of Tonka in the closing.
Simply put, this is by far the nicest Carner Barcelona frag I’ve ever smelt. Plus, it is long-lasting and comes at a lower price than Musc Ravageur.
When To Wear
This classy, woody aroma vibes perfectly with the chilling days of winter or fall. I prefer to wear it as my evening scent for autumn.
Why Should You Buy
- Amber-based fragrance.
- Warm, cozy, and dry quality.
- Good performance.
- Well-defined woody, vanillic notes.
7. Musc Infini Ex Nihilo
Top Notes: Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Calabrian Bergamot, and Grapefruit
Middle Notes: Musk, Rose, and Patchouli
Base Notes: White Musk, Benzoin, Vanilla and Tonka Bean
Luxurious compositions like Musc Ravageur deserve some premium alternatives. Hence, my next suggestion will be Musc Infini from the house of Ex Nihilo.
This is a soft, spicy, musky fragrance with an opulent powdery nature. It smells comforting from the first sniff. The opening is sweet and interesting, offering a mellow ambrette nuanced with citruses.
The aroma suddenly becomes cozy and powdery alongside the warm, fluffy, rose-tinged musk.
As it dries up, the fragrance smells heavenly, elegant, sensual, and very musky with a creamy vanilla nuance.
Overall, this versatile fragrance evokes a soft, spicy, vanillic, musky vibe that stays on my skin for over 12 hours.
However, it has a whopping price, so pick this one only when you don’t have a budget limit.
When To Wear
Wear Musc Infini to any formal or dressy occasion during the fall, winter, or spring evenings. This can be your perfect fragrance for special dinner dates.
Why Should You Buy
- High-end quality.
- Well-groomed.
- Heavenly musk accord.
- Classy, powdery scent.
- Attractive and praiseworthy.
8. Labdanum 18 Le Labo
Well, my list ends with another luxurious composition by Maurice Roucel, which is Labdanum 18 from Le Labo. They smell so similar that if you already have this charming fragrance in your collection, I don’t think you need to buy Musc Ravageur.
From the start to the end, Labdanum 18 presents a cozy, warm, and very sexy musk-amber combo.
Spicy cinnamon appears at the beginning of this olfactory journey. But soon, the spiciness fades, and what you’ll feel is the symphony of labdanum, vanilla, and musk.
With a soothing, smoky undertone, the aroma will calm your nerves while bringing in a nostalgic feeling.
The closing seems pretty interesting to me, as here, you can feel the balsamic labdanum and animalic notes blending in a sophisticated and appealing way.
When To Wear
Labdanum 18 goes amazingly with any winter or fall time formal events. I’ve also worn it at parties and romantic dates, and I think it blends perfectly with all kinds of occasions.
Why Should You Buy
- Premium, musky, powdery scent.
- Unisex.
- Long-lasting.
- Gorgeous, spicy, and sensual.
- Very close to Musc Ravageur.
- Balanced woody, ambery accords.
Final Words
The luxurious, spicy, musky quality of Musc Ravageur is well-known in the fragrance world.
Hence, I’ve carefully listed only the best fragrances that are able to give you a similar feel along with their own twist.
So, don’t hesitate any more and find your preferred one from the list.
For any further queries, feel free to connect with me via the comment box.
